By examining life's fundamental questions, philosophy helps to shape the way we think about the world.

What are the ethical, political and social questions we need to ask ourselves? What can we know? And how can we change the world using our knowledge?'

Exploring questions such as these hones and develops your thinking skills, and provides a strong springboard into many professions.

Why study at UWE Bristol?

BA(Hons) Philosophy is a diverse and distinctive degree that will give you the broad grounding you need for your own philosophical work, and the inspiration to tackle life's big issues for yourself.

Studying in a close-knit group of students and lecturers, you'll engage with the history of philosophy, from its beginnings in ancient Greece to the great minds of 19th, 20th and 21st century European philosophers.

You'll learn how to analyse complex issues from different perspectives, present logical, reasoned arguments, and communicate concepts and opinions with clarity and precision.

Benefit from a diverse range of work-based learning opportunities from teaching philosophy in schools, to organising your own philosophy conference.

Apply your knowledge and expertise on a work placement and add to your experience with the option of spending a year studying in Europe or America.

With options for final year specialisms that include links with sociology, politics and robotics, you'll develop the skills and knowledge that will equip you well for your career and life in general.

Where can it take me?

Our philosophy graduates are in demand across journalism, law, banking, the creative industries and all kinds of business management.

You could work in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or specialise in teaching, research, counselling or healthcare, among many other areas.

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year zero (foundation year)

All Foundation Year students study together and will take four compulsory modules covering introductions to Sociology, Criminology, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, and university level academic and study skills.

This will ensure that you have the necessary grounding across all the social science disciplines, enabling you to develop a range of perspectives that will enrich your learning at Year one and beyond.

You will study:

Essentials of Academic Practice

Exploring the Social World and the Problems of Crime

From Plato to Nato

People and Social Science.

You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into Year one.

Year one

You will study:

Critical Thinking

Theories of Knowledge

Ancient Philosophy

Problems of the Self

The Death of God and the Meaning of Life.

Study exchange (if applicable)

If you choose the study exchange option, you'll spend the first and/or second semester of Year two studying at another university.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Year two

You will study:

Philosophical Methods

Self and Society.

Plus up to six optional modules (the number depending on credit requirements) from:

Hellenistic Philosophy

Early Modern Philosophy

Feminist Philosophy

Marxist Philosophies

Theoretical Ethics

Applied Ethics

Philosophical Approaches to Art

Philosophy of Contemporary Art

19th Century German Philosophy.

Placement year (if applicable)

If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.

Depending on which you choose, you'll either complete a placement learning or learning and development module.

See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.

Final year

You will study:

Philosophy Project and Placement Module.

Plus up to six optional modules from (the number depending on credit requirements) from:

Ethics of Technology

Philosophy of Nature and Science

Post-Humanism

Soul, Mind, Nature

Advanced Philosophical Texts

Contemporary Philosophical Issues

Phenomenology: The Philosophy of Experience

Social Pathology and the Paradoxes of Modernity in the Frankfurt School

Power, Desire and Agency; Debates in 20th Century French Philosophy

Europe and Decolonisation

Philosophy as a Way of Life

Thought in Action; Film and Philosophy

Social Sciences Placement Year.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

A diverse course of study, from pre-socratic to contemporary philosophy, covering questions from how we can have knowledge of the external world to how we should live our lives and adapt to technological change.

You'll get a solid foundation in the central issues of philosophy and develop your own unique path of study based on your interests and strengths.

Attend lectures, seminars and workshops, and work on projects on your own and in groups.

Join our close-knit study community, develop as an independent learner, and be taught, mentored and encouraged by our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.

Passionate about philosophy and working at the forefront of the subject, many lecturers are current writers and bring contemporary philosophical issues into their teaching.

Partake in the practice of philosophy itself, and develop your own philosophical knowledge.

Our staff are there to support and guide you. You'll get regular feedback on your work and we'll ask you for regular feedback on your modules.

Join a staff-student committee, where you'll get to influence discussions that affect your learning experience.

Our Student Adviser Service can help with everything from ensuring you're enrolled on the correct modules, to paying fees.

Placements

Students who go on work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.

If you study on the five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work or study placement after Year two.

You can take part in work placements and other work experience in Year Two and in the Final year.

You can also teach philosophy in local schools, to build extra skills and experience for your CV.

Study year abroad

You'll also have opportunities to study overseas on courses that are taught in English and are relevant to your degree. The study year abroad is not a paid placement.

Study exchange

Study exchange allows you to take the first and/or second semester of Year two at a different university. Unlike the study year abroad, you'll complete modules to achieve equivalent credits. These modules will be decided in advance with your programme leader.

Careers / Further study

Philosophy students at UWE Bristol graduate with the critical thinking, argumentation and communication skills that employers value highly.

You could go into a diverse range of sectors, including teaching, academic research, law, finance, the creative industries, healthcare, social work, not-for-profit organisations (NGOs) or the civil service.

Part Time Course

Indicative Additional Costs

Supplementary fee information

Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.

You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.

Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.

Typical offers

Tariff points: 48

GCSE: For all applicants, Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note the University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.

A-level subjects: Points from A-Level General Studies and AS-Level subjects (not taken onto full A-Level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of one A-Level.

EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.

Access: Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma; no specific subjects required.

Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

We recognise the individual nature of each application and our typical offer should be viewed as a guide. UWE Bristol welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course. Please include details of any relevant experience in your application.

Students who expect to achieve a higher tariff score may also be interested in our BA(Hons) Philosophy course.

If you are an international student your route of study for this degree is through UWE Bristol's International College which, upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.

Offer types

If you have not received your exam results, your offer from UWE Bristol will be conditional and will be subject to you achieving the tariff points/grades required for your course.

If you have already satisfied the academic entry requirements of your chosen course, you are likely to be made an unconditional offer. Please note that UWE Bristol will only make unconditional offers if you have already achieved your qualifications.

To make sure our applicants are academically prepared for when they start their studies at UWE Bristol, we do not make unconditional offers to those that are still studying their Level 3 qualifications (such as A-levels, BTEC, Access or equivalent). We hope that this will encourage our applicants to value their academic achievements as much as we do.

If you receive an offer for this course, you may be invited to attend an Offer Holder Day in February or March. These are a great opportunity to find out what it's really like to study here. You'll experience taster lectures or workshops, meet your course tutors, current students and other offer holders.

How to apply

UCAS Extra: We welcome applications through UCAS Extra for this course between 25 February and 4 July 2019. We aim to give you a response to your application within 21 days.